This cross-sectional survey assessed medical students and residents caring for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome and their families. It evaluated knowledge, attitudes toward mothers who use drugs, and comfort discussing addiction and trauma. The final sample comprised 229 trainees, including 99 medical students and 130 residents, with a 70% response rate.
More years of pediatric training were associated with greater comfort managing neonatal abstinence symptoms but less comfort discussing addiction and trauma. Family medicine and combined medicine-pediatrics residents reported greater comfort with these conversations than pediatric residents. Only 22% of trainees felt confident that mothers would disclose illicit drug use, and 39% expected mothers to participate actively in infant care. The authors suggested training that integrates trauma-informed care for both mothers and infants.
Original summary for clinical review. Read the published study.
